A Suffolk woman was among the Just Stop Oil protestors who halted a performance of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London's West End.
Four protestors entered the stage during a performance of Do You Hear the People Sing? and locked themselves to the stage using flexible bicycle locks at about 8.50pm on Wednesday.
It is believed one of the protestors was Poppy Bliss from Bury St Edmunds, according to MailOnline.
🚨 BREAKING: Just Stop Oil interrupt Les Mis.
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) October 4, 2023
🦺 4 people are locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show.
💬 “Valjean steals bread to feed a starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal?
🌡 The fossil fuel show can't go on: https://t.co/3tlBID7nKA pic.twitter.com/nCXsIGINoS
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Just Stop Oil wrote: “4 people are locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show.
“Valjean steals bread to feed a starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal?”
Audience members can be heard booing in a video of the incident and the theatre was evacuated by 9.10pm.
Read More: Man charged after Just Stop Oil protest at Twickenham
The Metropolitan Police said that five people were arrested at the theatre.
In a post on X, the force said: “At about 9pm tonight, police were called to a protest inside a theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue".
“Local officers were quickly on scene and five people have been arrested.”
William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, which owns the Sondheim, said: “During the first half of our performance of Les Miserables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show.
“Following our safety protocols, the audience was asked to leave the auditorium and the Met Police attended.
“Regrettably, there was insufficient time to enable us to complete the rest of the performance.
“Whilst we recognise the importance of free expression, we must also respect our audience’s right to enjoy the event for which they have paid.”
Just Stop Oil describes itself as an environmental activist group that aims for the British government to commit to ending new fossil fuel licencing and production.
Previous protests include a pair of protesters throwing tomato soup over Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' at the National Gallery.
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